Patient Belief in Miracles

1 Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, SDU2 Health, Man and Society, Department of Public Health, Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, SDU3 Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, SDU4 Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, SDU

Subtitle:

Positive or Negative Coping Resource?

Abstract:

Faith and hope in divine healing figure in most religious traditions. This chapter looks at faith in healing miracles and explores how following that faith may involve both risks and advantages. On the one hand, it may imply a risk by camouflaging a deferring attitude as when patients decline medical treatment on the basis of their belief in Divine intervention. On the other hand, faith in miracles forms an important part of a well-integrated religiosity by inspiring hope and so helping patients to find meaning and initiative in situations in which they might otherwise be tempted to give up. Against the backdrop of such considerations, the chapter provides recommendations for health professionals and relatives as how to handle patient belief in miracles in practice.